Strasser, who studied at Chicago’s Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, previously worked at the Community Canteen and Mon Ami Gabi, both in Northern Virginia. In 2013, she founded Cowbell Kitchen, a food trailer that’s winning rave reviews for soups, paninis and other items with a focus on what’s in season, local and best-quality. The presentation begins at 7 p.m. at the library at 200 E. Washington St.

“Chef Strasser is energetic and highly knowledgeable about food and good eating,” says the library’s Marcella Genz. “Join us to gain inspiration and ideas for how to make your diet a healthy one.”

With February designated as American Heart Month, Thursday’s talk is a partnership between the library and the West Virginia University Extension Service’s Love Your Heart Movement. For details, call the library at 304-725-2208.

Free screenings: As part of West Virginia University Healthcare’s observation of February as Heart Month, its hospitals in Martinsburg and Ranson will host free blood pressure screenings. Anyone may come for a screening in the lobby of Berkeley Medical Center from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday and again from 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 28 at Jefferson Medical Center.

FRIDAY | 21

Med school program: It’s the deadline for exceptional high school students interested in a career as a physician to apply for MedSTEP, a fast-track program offered by the West Virginia School of Medicine and Shepherd University. Details are available by calling 304-264-9202, option 1.

“Coal Country”: The documentary “Coal Country” will be shown in Shepherd University’s Reynolds Hall at 7 p.m. with a post-film discussion led by Mari-Lynn Evans, the film’s executive producer. Both are free and open to the public. Shepherd’s Common Reading is sponsoring the event, along with Shepherdstown Film Society and Coal Country Tours. To learn more, email shollida@shepherd.edu or call 304-876-5461.

Rummage sale: Summit Point Methodist Church holds an indoor rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and again Saturday at the church at 46 Steptoe St. Those who attend can enjoy free coffee while they shop. A bake sale also will be offered.

SATURDAY | 22

Audubon workshop: The Potomac Valley Audubon Society offers a free birding field trip on the historic Claymont property outside Charles Town at 8:30 a.m. Contact trip leader,Joette Borzik at 240-440-4221 or pep4223@comcast.net). Coming up in April: the PVAS’s popular “Birding 101” course for beginners. Space is limited and details are at Potomacaudubon.org.

Pancake fundraiser: Kabletown United Methodist Church hosts a pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. at the church at 3481 Kabletown Road. Pancakes are on the menu, along with sausage, sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, coffee, tea and orange juice. Suggested donation is $7 or $3 for children under 12. The church will hold another pancake breakfast March 22. For takeout, call the church at 304-725-5956. For other details, call Mike Nemec at 304-725-1399.

Clay play: Children as young as 8 – and anyone older, too – can take part in a two-hour clay class that begins at 11 a.m. at the Washington Street Artists’ Cooperative at 108 N. George St. in Charles Town.

The $17 fee includes all supplies for two projects and firing afterward. For more information, email Martha LeRoi (mirclayreflect@yahoo.com) or to reserve a seat in the class with a credit card, call Joe Bourgeois a 304-839-8016. Learn more at washingtonstreetartistscooperative.org.

“Run For God”: There’s still time to take part in the “Run For God 5K Challenge” at Asbury United Methodist Church in Charles Town. Part Bible study, part fitness training program, the class is aimed at helping participants “learn to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ while understanding the parallels of enduring a sport like running and enduring your faith,” organizers say. Open to anyone, including fitness novices, the class will conclude with the Asbury UMC Rise and Shine 5K on April 19. The church is located at 110 W. North St. For details, call 304-725-5513 or go to myasburychurch.org.

Spaghetti dinner: The public is invited to the Charles Town Moose Lodge’s spaghetti fundraiser from 1 to 4 p.m. at Lodge 948 at 77 Leetown Road in Ranson. Proceeds benefit Burlington Home for Children and the Charles Town Women of the Moose. The cost is $7 or $5 for children 6 to 12. Those attending are asked to RSVP to 304-725-5536.

Knit idea: A new crochet and knitting ministry at Charles Town’s Asbury United Methodist Church connects experienced and beginning crafters who will pray for strangers and create handmade gifts of comfort. Susan Wogan leads the group, which is open to anyone. The needles start flying at 2 p.m. at the church at 110 W. North St. For details, call 304-725-5513 or go to myasburychurch.org.

Taco takeout: Asbury United Methodist Church’s Missions Committee offers a “Taco Take-Out” fundraiser from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tacos will be sold in the church’s Williams Hall and may be eaten there or taken to go. Proceeds will help send Asbury members on a Navajo mission trip in August. Asbury is located at 110 W. North St. in Charles Town. More information is available at 304-725-5513 or online at myasburychurch.org.

MONDAY | 24

Free yoga class: Charles Town Library will host a free yoga class led by Lisha Simester, author of “The Natural Health Bible.” The class, designed to reduce stress while boosting health, strength, flexibility and self-esteem, begins at 6 p.m. at the library at 200 E. Washington St. It’s part of the library’s observation of February as Heart Month. For details, call the library at 304-725-2208.

Blood drives: The American Red Cross hosts a blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. At Shepherdstown Fire Hall at 8052 Martinsburg Pike. Another happens 1 to 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at

Leetown United Methodist Church. Anyone may sign up at redcrossblood.org.

“Biggest Loser”: Asbury United Methodist Church at 110 W. North St. in Charles Town offers its Biggest Loser Challenge at 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesday with exercise, support and other help available to anyone. For details, call 304-725-5513 or go online to myasburychurch.org.

LOOKING AHEAD

Nutrition talk: Nutritionist Barbara Gerwatosky will discuss strategies for diet and exercise at 5:15 p.m. Feb. 26 at Charles Town Library at 200 E. Washington St. The free talk is part of the library’s observation of February as Heart Month. For details, call the library at 304-725-2208.

Relay For Life events: Bob Evans in Ranson on Feb. 28 hosts a Spirit Night to benefit Relay For Life of Jefferson County, and anyone who wants to take part should visit relayforlife.org/jeffersonwv to download a flyer to present at the counter. For additional information on getting involved, call Chanti Davenport at 304-279-5706.

Spotlighting seniors: Organizers of the Salute to Senior Service program are looking for West Virginia’s outstanding senior volunteers age 65 and older. Nominations and votes will be accepted through March 1.

Each state winner get $500 and one national winner will get $5,000 to donate to his or her Potter’s Bowl: Good Shepherd Caregivers will hold its 14th-annual Potter’s Bowl at the Shepherdstown Firehouse at 5 p.m. March 1. Attendees will select a hand-crafted bowl to keep and enjoy home-made soups, breads and desserts. Tickets cost $30. For more information, email vista@gsivc.org or call 304-876-3325.

Cake-baking contest: Help the Appalachian Trail Conservancy mark its 89th birthday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 1 at the ATC Visitor Center at 799 Washington St. in Harpers Ferry. The public is invited to bake a cake with the theme, “Leave No Trace,” for the chance to win prizes, including ATC gear and apparel. Those interested in entering must email Anne Baker at abaker@appalachiantrail.org by Feb. 27.

“Tree Walk”: Arborist Shawn Walker will lead a free Potomac Valley Audubon Society-sponsored Tree Walk along the streets of Charles Town March 1. Participants will meet at 10 a.m. at the Charles Town Library, 200 E. Washington St. The two-hour walk will highlight the city’s diverse tree population, with an emphasis on identifying species by bark, branching habits and other winter characteristics. Space is limited; to reserve a spot or learn more, contact Kelly Wolf (kheldreth@hotmail.com or 304-229-6229).

Organic workshop: A six-week “Grow Your Own Organic Food” class starts March 3 at the Berkeley County Adult Learning Center at 3635 Winchester Ave. in Pikeside. Each session runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Anyone may register for the $50 class by calling the Berkeley County Board of Education at 304-267-3510, ext. 3518. For other questions, call instructor Eldon Winston at 304-264-4783.

“Spring Fling”: Washington High’s Band Boosters host Spring Fling, a vendor fair with chili and chicken wing cook-offs, a silent auction, raffles and giveaways from 5 to 8 p.m. March 15 in the school’s cafeteria. Admission is $5 and the school’s jazz band will perform at 7:30 p.m. For details, call Lisa Carmody-Ring at 304-728-8140.

Square dancing: Carl Odell works with beginners interested in learning to square dance in Charles Town. The lessons are a fun way to get aerobic exercise with help from friendly experienced dancers. To learn more, contact Odell (304-724-9955 or carlodell@aol.com).

Art classes: A new round of art classes put on by the Berkeley Arts Council begins March 3 at Berkeley Art Works, 116 N. Queen St. in Martinsburg. Classes for adults include intermediate acrylic painting, colored pencil drawing, intermediate drawing and sketching, watercolor painting, pottery, plus a class on writing a mystery novel. There are also youth classes, including drawing for ages 8 to 16 and the Junior Art Academy for ages 7 to 10. For details, go to artworks.berkeleyartswv.org or call 304-620-7277.

The meal, served from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., costs $8 for those 13 and older, $4 for children from age 6 and free for younger kids. Tickets may be purchased online at citizensfirecompany.com. For other information, call 304-725-2814 (the fire hall’s non-emergency number).

Running clinics: Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, family physician and top marathoner, offers running tips monthly. The next session happens from 4 to 6 p.m. March 7 at The Wellness Center at Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg.

Cucuzzella, a nationally ranked distance runner and founder and organizer of Freedom’s Run and the Harpers Ferry Half Marathon, will share advice on proper form, injury prevention and ways to improve performance.

The free clinics, geared to runners of all levels, normally are held the first Friday of each month. Pre- registration is required (call 304-264-1287, ext. 31814 or email ddejarnett@wvuhealthcare.com.) For details of group runs and ongoing clinics, go to Freedom’s headquarters’ website at Two Rivers Treads, Cucuzzella’s running gear shop, at tworiverstreads.com.

Mine wars: Shepherd University’s Lifelong Learning program offers a six-week course on the West Virginia mine wars starting March 10. The classes are held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays. To learn more, go to shepherd.edu/lifelonglearning.

Scholarships: Local seniors can apply for a McDonald’s McEducates Scholarship at

McDonaldsEducates.com. The deadline is March 21.

Volunteers needed: Meals On Wheels of Jefferson County is seeking donations as well as volunteers to deliver meals. For more information, call 304-725-1601 or email mealsonwheelsjc@frontier.com. Contributions may be mailed to Meals On Wheels of Jefferson County, P.O. Box 565, Charles Town 25414.

Low-cost vet help: Learn more about Spay Today’s reduced-cost spay and neuter program at baacs.org or by calling 304-728-8330.

Opportunity for college students: The Horseshoe Leadership Center in Parsons seeks college students “who want to use their skills, energy and passion for shaping a better world” working with kids 7 to 12 this summer at civic leadership and entrepreneurship camps. The work provides a living allowance, an AmeriCorps Education Award, meals and lodging. For details, call 304-478-2481 or e-mail horseshoe@yla-youthleadership.org.

Nature exploration: The children’s section of the Shepherdstown Library has a new “Nature in Winter Explorer Pack,” with info on winter constellations, instructions for identifying animal tracks, ideas for feeding wild birds and other projects. Put together by Suzanne Taylor of the Potomac Valley Audubon Society and made possible with money from the Nora Roberts Foundation, the pack may be borrowed for three weeks. Seven other kids’ kits also are available at the library at 100 W. German St. For details, call 304-876-2783

or email splchild@martin.lib.wv.us.

Support group: A Lyme disease support group meets on the second Wednesday each month at the train station on Audrey Egle Drive in Shepherdstown. To learn more, email lymesided@comcast.net or go to Lyme Disease Support Group Eastern Panhandle WV on Facebook.

AARP to meet: Jefferson County’s AARP Chapter No. 799 meets at 11 a.m. the second Thursday of each month in the social hall of the Asbury United Methodist Church at 110 W. North St. in Charles Town. The group is open to anyone 50 and older. For details, contact Peggy Burcker at 304-671-3183 or peggy.burcker@longandfoster.com.

Book club: Anyone is welcome to join the Charles Town Library Book Club, which meets monthly at 200 E. Washington St. For more information, call the library at 304-725-2208.

Send your news: Have an item for next week’s Community Calendar? The newspaper offers this space for free as a service to our readers. Send submissions to christine@spiritofjefferson.com by 2 p.m. Monday. Items also may be faxed to 304-728-6856 or mailed to the newsroom, 114 N. Charles St., Charles Town 25414. Questions? Call 304-725-2046, ext. 22.